Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $19.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Little Rock, AR runs $19.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,974 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,581 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Little Rock, Arkansas, the pharmacy technician hourly pay is projected at $19.70 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $23.19. This wage reflects both the competitive nature of the market and the cost of living index in the area, which is lower than the national average. For part-time pharmacy technicians working three days a week, or those engaged in per diem positions at settings such as retail pharmacies, hospital clean rooms, and specialized compounding labs, this rate can provide a stable income depending on the number of hours worked. The hourly wage ranges from $18.19 for entry-level positions to about $27.34 for the most experienced technicians, making the profession accessible yet diverse in earning potential. These figures are based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, ensuring accuracy for job seekers in this field.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.19 | $145.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.82 | $150.57 |
| Median (P50) | $19.70 | $157.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.44 | $187.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.34 | $218.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock
Based on $19.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.70/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $40,968 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,635. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $787.85 | $3,414 | $40,968 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $472.71 | $2,048 | $24,581 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $315.14 | $1,366 | $16,387 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Little Rock) | $19.70 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $40,974 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.06% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 0.20% above the Arkansas state average of $40,892.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.70/hr = $24,581/year (purchasing power: $27,506).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,968/year (purchasing power: $45,844).
CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Little Rock grew 28.7% from $14.52/hr (2019) to $18.68/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.77/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Little Rock
Considering the dynamics of part-time work, a pharmacy technician in Little Rock who works 24 hours a week at the median hourly pay can expect an annual take-home pay significantly lower than that of a full-time counterpart. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Little Rock typically ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, and for specialized roles like hospital sterile compounding, the rates can rise to between $25 and $40 hourly. Travel pharmacist contracts, often ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 a week, are another option for technicians looking for higher earnings in certain markets. Differences in hourly pay are seen across employer types as well, with retail giants like CVS and Walgreens offering varied compensation compared to specialty or long-term care pharmacies. Some technicians opt for lower hourly rates with benefits, while others may choose higher rates without such perks, highlighting the trade-offs involved. Negotiating one's hourly pay in Little Rock involves understanding these nuances, including the demand for compliance with standards like USP <797> / <800>, which can influence wages in the evolving landscape of pharmacy technology.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emily Tran, PharmD
Career Analyst
Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Little Rock. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov